Ch 36

"Don't you think this is a little unorthodox Trunks?" asked Goten.

"Well I thought you may be more comfortable talking in a space that didn't look like a therapist's office," said Trunks.

"Good idea but your private plain?"

"We have privacy, and there's something about being in the air that is freeing."

"Yeah," Goten smiled. "Flying is the best."

"So, where do you want to start?"

"Aren't you suppose to start the session?"

"Well I have my own ways of therapy. I don't think I should be guiding you. I think you should be guiding yourself to recovery."

"What kinds of things have your university taught you?"

"They teach the traditional way, but I take what I learn and use it to my advantage," he smirked.

"You are either very obnoxious or very smart."

Trunks laughed. "Well I guess I'm both but we're getting off track."

"Sorry I'm just nervous."

"You have nothing to be nervous about chibi. I'm not here to judge or make you feel bad. I'm here to understand and support you."

"Thank you Trunks for everything."

"I'm not so sure you should be thanking me yet. I could be terrible for all you know."

"No, I don't think so. You're very genuine whether people like what you have to say or not. You're the best person I know."

"You know flattering your therapist won't help you," smirked Trunks.

"It was worth a shot," Goten smiled, "but I meant what I said."

"I know, and I appreciate it. So, are you ready now chibi?"

Goten took a breath in and then out an sat back in his chair. He looked out the window to the fluffy clouds outside and smiled. It was the first time he had hope that everything would be all right. "I'm ready Trunks."

"Well the first memories I can remember are arguing. I was five, and I was playing in my room when I heard shouting. There was a point I think things were thrown. I was scared but kept playing in my room. I guess I figured it would be safer to stay in my room. The arguing went on for years, and I took the brunt of their arguments. I was their punching bag."

"The abuse escalated to verbal and physical abuse. I think the sexual abuse was the worst. When my first experience happened, I didn't even know it was wrong. It felt wrong, but I was too young to know. It was only when I got older did I understand what had happened to me. I was horrified, disgusted, and I felt sick. I just—I don't understand why I didn't fight back?"

"Your foster father made you think that he loved and cared for you and in your mind, what he was doing was acceptable. You accepted it because you didn't know what else to do. Who could possibly love someone who was hurt by their own foster parent?" said Trunks.

"It's true I felt like damaged goods. I mean I would try and date, but I couldn't make it work. I was afraid they would see how damaged I really was, so I kept my distance. Plus my foster father got really jealous when I started dating. The abuse got worse from that point on. He would tell me I was his and only his. It's something I couldn't understand, especially when he claimed to love his own wife in the same breath."

"It's clear your foster parents had their own issues before you came into the picture. It only brought them to the surface when your mom gave you to them. You were used and abused because they couldn't deal with their own issues. It's unfortunate."

"When I finally got away from them, I thought I would be free but I was wrong. The nights were the worst because I'd have nightmares that they came into my room and take me away. I'd relieve the abuse all over again. It was like no matter what I did, I couldn't escape them. Even thought they're dead, they still haunt me."

"It's because you let them hold that power over you. It's not just the hits and the molestation that hurt you. Their words are still ingrained within your brain. Once you take your power back, you will be able to accept what happened to you is not your fault, that their words aren't true, and that the only reason they hurt you was because of their issues. They had no right to carry their problems onto you and make you feel insignificant," said Trunks.

"Do you think the pain will ever go away?"

"I think in time it will, but you have to do the work. You have to change your attitude and behavior. You have to know that you're worth fighting for. Your friends and family will always be there to support you, but you have to know your worth. You have to know in your very soul that you matter to yourself and the people who love you. Most importantly you have to love yourself. I'm here to make sure this happens," said Trunks.

"I smell an assignment coming on," smiled Goten.

Trunks smiled. "I know this may seem juvenile, but I want you to write a list of ten things you like about yourself. The list will give me a better idea of where your self-esteem is at. I want you to really take the time to think about these ten things. You need to be completely honest and open with me."